District Development Commissioner, Udhampur, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, today reviewed the formulation of District Irrigation Plan under Krishi Sinchaye Yojana for devising a long term irrigation infrastructure in.The DDC reviewed the existing irrigation infrastructure created by Departments of Rural Development, Irrigation, Forests, Soil Conservation, IWMP, IWDP and various other organisations. He directed the officers for revising the long term plan for strengthening the collective irrigation plan of all the departments including ground water recharge, soil and moisture conservation, water storage and channels, irrigation canals, major and minor works under irrigation. Schemes like MGNREGA, CAMPA, KSY, AIBP are being converged for comprehensive irrigation plan.The DDC informed that district has already taken up construction of 204 water ponds a pilot project under MGNREGA and similar initiatives will be taken up through other departments. He stressed on larger soil conservation and water harvesting works in forest fringe areas. Involvements of local panchayats in raising tangible irrigation assets was also discussed for which a separate consultation with village panchayats has been organised.Director, Command Area Development, Jammu, made a presentation regarding various aspects of District Irrigation Plan and its components under Krishi Sinchaye Yojana.
Chief Agriculture Officer presented a resume of agriculture potential of district, irrigation potential and actual harvest.Public consultation for DIP has been fixed for 24th December 2015, Professional Consultation for 25th December, Revenue Officials’ consultation on December 26th and Departmental debriefing on December 25th. The DIP will be finalized on December 30th 2015 after consideration of public and professional consultations and suggestions. A core team of CPO, DFO, CAO, CHO, CAHO, ExEn Irrigation / PHE has been constituted for finalization of discussions. Project Officer Dr Jagdish Mehra has been appointed as Convener of the District Level committee for finalisation of plan.Among others, Divisional Forest Officer Udhampur, Harmohinder Singh, Omesh Safaya Chief Agriculture Officer Udhampur (Member Secretary DIP), Mr Safaya, CHO Mr C L Sharma, XEN PHE Mr Rajesh Gupta and other concerned officers attended the meeting.